CHAPTER 1

The Problem

Introduction

Education is very important for every Filipino. That’s why, attaining quality

education is a goal of every school and other educational institutions. Changes in

the educational curriculum have been observed to improve the quality of

education that Filipinos are receiving. From the Basic Education Curriculum, the

curriculum shifted to the K to 12 curriculum which covers kindergarten and 12

years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of junior high

school and two years of senior high school) to provide sufficient time for mastery

of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for

tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment and

entrepreneurship (www.officialgazette.gov.ph).

The feature of K to 12 suggests that the curriculum must be learner-

centered, inclusive, research-based, integrative, relevant and responsive. It

should also be standard and competence-based, flexible, ICT-based and global

(DepEd Order No. 43 series 2013). Meanwhile, one of the major problems

confronting the Department of Education is the scarcity of science laboratory

facilities and equipment (Dela Cruz, 2017). This affects the performance of the

students which results to a 48.9% national average for the secondary National

Achievement Test for school year 2011-2012 (de Dios, 2013). This national

average means average mastery. On the other hand, the mean percentage score

for science is 40.53 which is the lowest among other subject areas that are
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tested. This means that teachers need to do extra effort to provide better science

education to the students.

In this context, the researcher is challenged to conduct a study which

deals with the use of guided inquiry with computer simulations in teaching

science and also to address the scarcity of science laboratories and equipment

and harness the power of technology to develop the whole teaching-learning

process. The result of this study can also improve the schools’ academic

performance in Science as well as the teaching learning instruction.

The researcher thinks of integrating downloadable interactive computer

simulations as one of the possible ways of enhancing Science instruction. This

might have a relevant effect on the students’ interest and attitude towards

Physics. This might also present better representations for some non-observable

concepts and phenomena in Science. This may also address the aim of the K to

12 curriculum which is to develop globally competent learners.

Hacienda High School, the locale of the study, is a barangay high school

which is located at Hacienda San Miguel, Tabaco City. It is one boat ride from

Tabaco port since it is located in an island. It caters to high school students from

its own barangay and some from the neighboring barangays.

Based on the National Achievement Test (NAT) result from school year

2011-2012 to 2014-2015 of Hacienda High School, Science has the lowest mean

percentage score. Likewise, based on the third quarter mean and performance

level in Science of Grade 7 students, they obtained a fair performance level. This

data is essential because third quarter of Science 7 is Physics.

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These data are the researchers’ basis for conducting this study. She aims

to investigate if the use of guided inquiry with interactive computer simulations

will have a significant effect in the students’ conceptual understanding, motivation

and epistemological belief.

The use of computers in teaching is widely used. This helps the students

because they can relate due to it being timely. This also gives the idea to the

researcher to utilize technology and look for something that can visually present

even the non-observable concepts in physics. That’s why the researcher came

up with the idea of simulations. These simulations can be downloaded online and

functions through a certain program. These simulations are also interactive which

means that in some cases, provided that there are complete resources, the

students can manipulate the simulation on their own.

There are various sites that provide these simulations that can be utilized

by the teacher. The best simulation sites are PhET, Explore Learning, Molecular

Workbench and Brainpop. PhET are interactive, research-based simulations of

physicsl phenomena. Explore Learning is a premier collection of teaching

simulations for science and math. Molecular Workbench is a Concord

Consortium resource for molecular modeling and simulations. Brainpop are

animated films on a variety of topics for Elementary and Middle School

(www.csun.edu). This study will utilize and study the effects PhET simulations on

students’ conceptual understanding, motivation and epistemological belief with

guided inquiry based approach in teaching.

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Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the effects of developed lessons with the use

of guided inquiry with computer simulations on conceptual understanding,

epistemological belief and motivation of Grade 7 Science students of Hacienda

High School.

Specifically, it will seek to answer the following questions:

1. What lessons in Grade 7 Science may be developed using

a. Guided inquiry approach

b. Computer simulations?

2. What are the effects of the developed lessons on the students’

a. conceptual understanding

b. Epistemological Belief

c. Motivation?

3. What are the meaningful experiences gained by the students through the

implementation of the developed lessons?

Scope and Delimitation

This study will develop lessons using guided inquiry with computer

simulations. It will cover topics in Physics in Grade 7 Science under the K to 12

Curriculum of DepEd. This study will determine the effects of the developed

lessons with the use of guided inquiry with computer simulations as the main

teaching and learning tool on the students’ epistemological beliefs, conceptual

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understanding and motivation. The study will be conducted during the third

quarter in Grade 7 Science at Hacienda High School.

The study will only cover the Physics part in Grade 7 science and will only

develop selected topics wherein computer simulations are applicable. It will not

attempt to use other lessons with different features and prepared by other

teachers. Also, it will not investigate other factors that may affect the students’

achievement and attitude towards Physics.

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study may benefit the following:

Teachers. The result of this study may give some insights on the teachers

regarding the use of simulations which they may apply in their teaching and could

improve strategies and methodologies.

School Officials. The study can be a source of information concerning

the development of students’ performance and attitude towards Physics through

the use of guided inquiry with computer simulations so that action may be done

or recommend for further development of the curriculum.

Parents. The study can provide information and knowledge to the parents

regarding the effects of using guided inquiry with computer simulations in

learning Physics concepts.

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Future Researchers. The study can serve as a reference for future

researchers who would like to take similar course of study. This can also serve

as a foundation for related researches on different disciplines.

Students. The study will give the students a new perspective about

science, specifically physics. They may enjoy science through this study. With

the aims of the study, the students will leave the school equipped with knowledge

and good attitude.

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Notes

What is K to 12. Retrieved from http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

Dela Cruz, Mario James Simon. (2017, March 11). Science Ed. and a Thinking
Society. Retrieved from http://www.pressreader.com

De Dios. (2013, July 20). Philippine Basic Education. Retrieved from

http://www.philippinesbasiceducation.us

Department of Education Order No. 43, s. 2013. (2013, September 24).

“Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10533
Otherwise Known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”. Retrieved from
http://www.deped.gov.ph

Simulations and Animations. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu

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DEVELOPMENT OF LESSONS USING GUIDED INQUIRY WITH COMPUTER

SIMULATIONS IN SCIENCE 7 AT HACIENDA HIGH SCHOOL

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

in Bicol University Graduate School, Legazpi City

RONALYN B. BUELLA

Master of Arts in Physics Education